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Biopsychosocial perspective on swearing
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Swearing is debated frequently by many people as there are many different beliefs and opinions on it. By definition, swearing is the use of offensive language, which may cause one to ask how can words become “offensive”? Of course there are many words that are very racist and demeaning to certain races, cultures, and genders, but apart from those words, what makes the others “offensive”? In order to answer this question, it is important to first understand the history of swearing, its biopsychosocial perspective, and its use in the work environment. All of these topics are essential to finding out what swearing is and how we characterize “offensive” swearing. The history of swearing is very complex, but it is simply described as “a form …show more content…
For example, Hell is a swear word. Hell is referred in the Bible as a place of punishment. However, in our everyday lives most people use it as a way to show surprise. “What the hell!”. Another common word that is used all the time is “Damn”. Damn in the bible is referred to damnation which is punishment in the Christian religion. When we refer to swear words Humans from the beginning of time have been using curse and swear words. Many cultures have developed their own taboo swear words, most of the time in their common language. Throughout history, swearing has always been condemned and known to be demeaning by many cultures and religions around the world. In the bible around 12000 BC., A commandment was given in the bible: “Thou shalt not use the Lords name in vain, to stop the use of the name in false oaths. That new commandment takes for granted not only that people lie, but that they lie under oath, attempting to sanctify the low by using the high, abusing the scared for profane purposes. That's why many Christians take offense to swearing. It Violates one of the commandments that was made for Christians to follow so they can live a good life. Another example of swearing that is condemned in a religion is in the Muslim religion. …show more content…
Many managers want their work environment to be a positive work environment where everyone can learn and grow. “Perception, whether right or wrong is real to the person perceiving it. To avoid misperceptions, avoid using foul language altogether” (Hofflund). Many workplace environments are centered around perception and misperceptions, which are directly related to how people talk to each other. Bill Poymero, a spokesman for Xcel Energy-Cheynne Light, said that the company had no tolerance for profanity in their workplace. “We deal with it if it occurs, and we don't expect it to continue.” Earlier in the article Ilene Olson talks about O’Connor and his book on cuss control. He gives us insight on how to change the way speak to people and that it does take time to see that change. He gives suggestions on how to get use language more effectively: the first step is to recognize that swearing does damage; the second is to eliminate casual swearing; and the third is to think positively. Remember, everyones opinion on swearing and cursing is not the same as yours. Think about the audience around you before you just blurt out a word. . If It does not take much for someone to be offended by your language or agree with it, then what is the emotional and motivational aspect of swearing? How does it affect you and me? At work for an example, many people swear to fill emotions.
In the case of Margaret Atwood, she has undoubtedly recognized and put emphasis on the use of language as power, as well as captured the very essence of it being ever-evolving, not to mention has used profanity as verbal modifiers to increase the connotation of words - to quote Austin Carroll a student from Garrett High School "Fuck is one of those fucking words you can fucking put anywhere in a fucking sentence and it still fucking makes sense." This quote is, of course, a linguistic and syntactic observation that Atwood herself has exemplified through her signature phrase "Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. . . Don't let the bastards grind you down." (216) Offred has discovered that the use of language "can oppress, as well as express." (Conboy 350) As
The same concept is written in the essay, 'The Power of Profanity' by Scott Weaver. Weaver starts his article with a small paragraph titled 'before you read.' The paragraph goes as follows 'How comfortable are you with profanity? How is your own attitude about profanity shaped by the environments in which you grew up?' Scott Weaver starts of showing on your own terms how a person’s environment contributes to how we shape the meaning of our
To paraphrase the late comedian George Carlin, language is used to mask the truth. In his 1990 stand up special “Doin' It Again” he says “there is nothing wrong with those words in and of themselves” when talking about bad language. He and McCorkle both argued that context is more important than the words themselves, and this is not hard to prove. In Monty Python’s “The Life Of Brian”, there is a scene where a man is to be stoned for saying the word “Jehovah”, but the people instead decide to stone the man announcing his crime, as he had to say “Jehovah”. Humans need to express emotions, and swear words are a conduit for one’s distaste or anger. They are indeed vital to expression.
In order to effectively communicate with those around us it’s important to understand the context of a given situation. We can usually recognize these connections right off the bat and when it comes to cathartic swearing this is especially so. These expletives are very straightforward and are frequently referred to as the ‘stub-your-toe’ class of swearing because with yelling, “FUCK!”, you unleash a healthy amount of pent-up emotion or anger that may have even been causing some stress. The only issue seen with this variety of swearing is the commonness in which it occurs. Toddlers and small children will often pick up the words and phrases that are being said around them. As Wajnryb states in chapter 3, “The fact is that kids swear because they copy the modeled behaviors around them, usually in the home. You stub a toe, you swear. Your child overhears and learns how to react in similar circumstances. It doesn’t matter what the phrase is, it becomes the language associated with the emotion of anger or frustration” (pg. 89). The most interesting thing about this is that when the child first repeats a
So swearing isn’t bad then right?, in my opinion yes. The research has shown that there is no negative impact by swearing. The leading cause of the restriction of swearing is what parents have taught their kids generation to generation. If anything swearing is good and the ability to express yourself freely with your words should make any conversation more
Profanity is often thrown around like it is nothing, but it can ruin a lot of things for people who use it on a regular basis. Christians are an example of people who do not like profanity. It is a sin to curse and Christians take profanity seriously. So many people use profanity so much that they do not even realize that they are using it. Some people think that it is “cool” to cuss and use foul language, those people throw bad words around like it is nothing. The lesson that profanity teaches is that using bad language can make people frown upon you and will not get you far in
The third commandment forbids us in taking the name of the Lord in vain. The Jews held God's names very, very respectfully. Now a days we have lost this. God's names is used lightly as well as in profanity. One man said that that his swearing was okay, because he didn't mean anything by it. Moody says that one would laugh at him if he said that he “did not mean an by it” after stealing ones watch and selling it to get the money4. “If God puts His love into your heart, you will have no desire to curse Him5”.
Jayeda Newaz April 15, 2016 Sociology The Dilemma of Nothing Versus Nuffin’ Language is a product of society and its various influences. In many regards, it can be seen as a socially constructed behavior due to the influences of exposure, region, socioeconomic status as well as identity. Just as there exists an inequality within different aspects of society, there is also a kind of discrimination within language that manifests itself in job placement. At the heart of this inequality lies the idea that some expressions of language are more greatly desired and respected than other expressions. Furthermore, there are certain stigmas and stereotypes against the less desirable language expressions that can perpetuate adverse effects for those
This is an example of how people in passing cannot tell the context in which potentially offensive phrases are used; therefore, such phrases should be avoided. If a phrase or word could be taken as hurtful, there is no need to risk hurting the feelings of others who may potentially hear a word or phrase out of context. There is absolutely no need to risk hurting the feelings of others when it can be avoided. Phrases are deemed as slurs because they are negative, hurtful and perceived differently by many people, making the context of the conversation an afterthought for many, especially young people. The speaker of
3. In the newspaper article, “Offensive Or Just too Sensitive,” Trevett starts off by explaining how there is currently a politically correct war where supporters fight to remove seemingly offensive and slang words that are sometimes used in everyday language
Comprehending Hell Ultimately hell is the place of eternal torment and separation from God for non-believers, and we can get a better insight and understanding on hell and what it might resemble through the Biblical Language of hell and through the different descriptions the Bible uses for hell. There are a few names and and translations for hell in the bible that when translated to Greek or Hebrew give us a clearer idea of hell. Sheol is the Hebrew translation for hell, which translates to the pit, the grave, and hell. Hades is the greek word for hell, and its meaning translates the same as the Hebrew translation Sheol, so they're often grouped together. Tartarus is the greek word for hell, found in the bible only once.
A lie is a lie. Many times we try to tell ourselves that some things aren't true. We tell ourself that spreading rumours doesn't matter, or that there's no harm in shoplifting. When we believe these lies, we're only deceiving ourself (Leviticus 19: 16-17). In James 3: 1-12, it is pointed out that you can not tell the truth and lie at the same time. The Bible points out that a half-truth is a lie.
Well, yes and no. Yes because more and more people are using profanity in today's society than in previous years. Also, no because we also don't realize how much profanity is used until we are older and use it more often. Profanity has escalated in social media. Profanity is celebrated in social media forms such as twitter, facebook, and tumbler.
Now euphemism is not solely confined to traditional taboo areas, say, sex, reproduction, disease, death and the like. On the contrary, euphemism extends to various sensitive scopes in the modem world, for instance, race, gender, politics and War. Any words that are often used to hide unpleasant, offensive or disturbing ideas are called euphemism. Edward Sapir has ever said that something important must be hidden in the language and language cannot exist without culture. Euphemisms play a fairly vital role in language, so some important cultural information must be hidden in the euphemisms.
Writing my paper over twang was giving me so much hell that I changed the subject to hell. The word hell is a word that is frequently used by people upon certain occasions. The definition of hell is the place or state of punishment of the wicked after death; the abode of evil and condemned spirits; any place or state of torment or misery; something that causes torment or misery. From the above it can be seen that hell has a negative connotation. An examination of the place of punishment, the state of misery or which bring suffering or misery will help define the full meaning of the negative implications for the word hell.